Article such as a makeup removal pad comprising an external surface for applying aqueous products on the skin

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a product such as a makeup-removal pad based on hydrophilic cotton fibers and including an external side used to apply aqueous substances to the skin. In the invention, the external side is treated with an agent delaying absorption of the aqueous substances. The product of the invention is used to apply personal care substances, such as cosmetics, to the skin.

[0001] The present invention relates to a cotton product for skin care,such as a makeup-removal pad, comprising an external surface with whichto apply aqueous substances to the skin.

[0002] This cotton product is a product or pad cut into round formats ofoval, square or any other shape commonly called “makeup removal disks”.

[0003] In the text below, the expression “pad based on hydrophiliccotton fibers” shall include any product essentially comprisinghydrophilic and absorbent cotton fibers in a proportion from 70 to 100%of cotton fibers and from 0 to 30% of artificial fibers such as viscosefibers or synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fibers or binary fibers(for example polyester/polyester, polyester/polypropylene,polypropylene/polyethylene).

[0004] The specific surface weight of the cotton product ranges from 150to 400 g/m² and preferably from 180 to 300 g/m².

[0005] Skin care includes body care, face care and more specificallybeauty care using cosmetics, namely removing makeup from and applyingmakeup to the face, furthermore baby care, for example changing thebaby, etc.

[0006] On account of the hydrophilic nature of the cotton fibers, onemajor drawback of the pad or cotton products is their excessiveabsorption of the substances applied to their surface. In general, anaqueous substance enters the inside of the pad by capillarity andsometimes it even crosses the pad and moistens the hands.

[0007] The care substance is used wastefully and the pad, beingimpregnated with the substance, will deform.

[0008] Solutions to the problem of the care substance fully crossing thepad already have been advanced.

[0009] For example, one solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,119and consists in a grip-fitted pad compressing a rear layer in the formof a thin, impermeable plastic film or of an impermeable treated paperfoil.

[0010] Another solution is disclosed in European Patent 0 441 667 andconsists in using a makeup-removal pad comprising a central hydrophobicblocking layer and/or one which is impermeable relative to the substanceto be removed, two absorbent layers sandwiching the former one andadhering to it. Preferably the absorbent material is carded or combedcotton. The blocking layer may consist of a stratum of one or severalflexible plastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene orpolyester.

[0011] However, as regards the above solutions, the impermeable orblocking layers were deposited rather than being made of the absorbentmaterial or of the web constituting the pad. They are wholly impermeableand must not come into contact with the skin.

[0012] By controlling the kind of fibers used, it is possiblefurthermore to modify the properties of the cotton pad or also one ofits external layers.

[0013] Illustratively, hydrophobic olefin fibers allowing carding may bemixed with hydrophilic cotton fibers. Such fibers are described inEuropean Patent 0 687 318. But in such a case the cotton product's fibercomposition changes.

[0014] Modifying neither composition nor structure of the product, U.S.Pat. No. 5,480,699 describes mechanical compression to prevent largeamounts of liquid or cream from penetrating the pad. By more stronglycompressing one of the external layers constituted of a carded web, andby joining the two carded webs to an uncompressed central layer, thefinal product exhibits one surface which is more compressed and whereinthe fibers are tighter together, leaving fewer interstices to transmitcreams or liquids to be applied to the skin. This solution, however,still allows some liquid or cream to reach the inside of the pad throughthe remaining interstices because the compression also improvescapillarity. Absorption is not delayed in this kind of product.

[0015] The problem addressed by the present invention is to delay theabsorption of aqueous substances at one of the cotton product's sideswhile irreversibly making the latter impermeable and without modifyingthe fiber composition of the product.

[0016] The “impermeabilization” of the invention is temporary and itspurpose is to preclude substances from penetrating the cotton pads atthe time of the substances' application on the pads and to delayabsorption of substances, in this manner allowing substance applicationto the skin before there is substance penetration of the cotton pad.

[0017] The objective of the invention is to create a cotton product,such as a makeup-removal pad, substantially composed of hydrophiliccotton fibers, and in this manner solve the above stated problem ofefficiently applying aqueous substances to the skin.

[0018] In one essential feature of the invention, one of the externalsides of the cotton product comprises an agent delaying the absorptionof aqueous substances.

[0019] In one advantageous feature of the invention, the aqueoussubstances' absorption delaying agent is in the form of an emollient- ora wax-based composition.

[0020] In another feature of the invention, the absorption delayingagent is a component attaching itself to the fibers, for example in theform of complex metal salts of stearic acid, perfluorinated derivatives,zirconium salts or silicones.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the agent is anatural, mineral, vegetal or animal wax.

[0022] In an especially preferred feature of the invention, the agent isa beeswax emulsion.

[0023] In another feature of the invention, the agent is an emulsion ora dispersion containing at least 30% active ingredients.

[0024] In another advantageous feature of the invention, the first sidecontains at least 0.3 g/m² of active ingredients.

[0025] Other features and advantages are elucidated in the descriptionbelow.

[0026] In order to optimize applying a substance to the skin or thecleansing of the skin, removing makeup and/or applying it usingcosmetics, the product or cotton pad of the invention includes an agentwhich delays absorption of aqueous substances at one of its externalsides which hereafter is called the first external side.

[0027] The absorption delaying agent is a component based on emollientsor waxes, or also a component attaching itself to the fibers.

[0028] When the components are applied in small quantities toconventionally hydrophilic and absorbent cotton products, they can beobserved as being surprisingly effective in delaying the absorption ofaqueous substances deposited on the surface of the cotton products.

[0029] Illustratively, the emollients are fatty amines, fatty alcohols,fatty esters, fatty polyethylenes or polyamides or their mixtures.

[0030] Illustratively, the components attaching themselves to the fibersare complex metal salts of stearic acid, perfluorinated derivatives,zirconium salts or silicones.

[0031] The wax-based components are wax and paraffin emulsions, alsoemulsions of wax only.

[0032] Preferably the aqueous substances absorption delaying agent is bea natural wax emulsion of mineral, vegetal or animal origin.

[0033] Examples of animal origin waxes are spermaceti and bee waxes.

[0034] Examples of vegetal origin waxes are candellila and carnaubawaxes.

[0035] Examples of mineral origin waxes are ceresin and azocerite.

[0036] Beeswax emulsion is especially advantageous and appropriate tothe pad's cosmetic use, being dermatologically tested already. This is acationic, bleached beeswax emulsion containing beeswax, water,emulsifiers, glyceryl stearate and diethanolaminoether stearate.

[0037] Beeswax per se is composed of waxy esters of fatty acids such asmyricyl palmitate, cerotic acid and other homologous waxy acids, and ofsmall quantities of hydrocarbons, of cholesterol esters and of cerylalcohols.

[0038] The absorption delaying agent is an emulsion or dispersioncontaining at least 30% active ingredients.

[0039] The first side of the product, or cotton pad, of the inventioncontains at least 1 g/m² of applied emulsion, that is at least 0.3 g/m²of deposited active ingredients.

[0040] The first side fitted at its surface with the agent therebyoffers advantageous properties.

[0041] It delays the penetration of the aqueous substances applied tothe pad's surface.

[0042] Penetration by the care substances, such as toiletry milk, makeupor makeup removal substances, represents a major drawback ofconventional hydrophilic cotton pads. The care or cosmetic substancesare wasted, they are used uneconomically, sometimes they cross the pad.Skin cleansing efficiency is less than optimal.

[0043] The treatment of the invention of the pad's first side creates atemporary water “impermeability” and thus allows averting the nearlyinstant absorption of aqueous substances by the hydrophilic cottonfibers as soon as such aqueous substances are deposited on the pad.

[0044] A simple test proving this property consists in depositing, atambient temperature (about 20° C.), pads processed in the manner of theinvention at the surface of a water-filled container, the treated sidepointing outward and the absorbing side toward the water, and furtherdepositing conventional pads consisting of 100% cotton fibers. Theformer pads remain at least 5 minutes at the water surface whereas thelatter pads are nearly immediately water-logged and immerse rapidly, ingeneral after 3-5 seconds.

[0045] The advantage offered by the invention is that they retainsubstances longer at the surface and make full use of the quantity ofsubstance deposited on the pad as regards skin care, without loss ofsubstance and without deforming the pad.

[0046] A test regarding skin care, makeup removal etc. was carried outat applicant's premises on 25 persons ordinarily and exclusively usingconventional hydrophilic cotton pads B.

[0047] The B pads are 100% cotton fibers and made from cotton websmanufactured according to European Patent Application 0 735 175 and aremarketed as DEMAK'UP®.

[0048] Pads A of the invention having the first side treated with anabsorption delaying agent, more specifically with a beeswax emulsion,were tested relative to the conventional B pads.

[0049] The following test results were ascertained:

[0050] As regards the A pads of the invention, of which the first sidehad been treated, almost all persons, namely 92%, noted the pad'sability to delay the absorption of the care substances deposited at thepads' surface.

[0051] Regarding the pads of the invention with their treated firstsurfaces, the number of persons noticing cleansing improvement is 92%.

[0052] With respect to makeup removal, 85% of the persons noted improvedcleansing efficacy of the pads of the invention that were treated on thefirst surface.

[0053] Similar advantages were noted when using makeup substances suchas lotions, creams, makeup foundations, rouge, in applying on andspreading the substance over the skin.

[0054] The persons also advantageously used the product of the inventionto apply perfumes such as toilet water. Toilet water is not immediatelyabsorbed by the pad of the invention compared to the case of applyingtoilet water by means of cotton products of the prior art.

[0055] The product, or cotton pad, of the invention consists of one ormore layers of cotton fibers manufactured by lapping, carding or in apneumatic manner.

[0056] These layers may exhibit identical or different fiber qualities.They may be manufactured directly from hydrophilic and bleached cotton.They also may be made from crude, unbleached cotton subsequently treatedchemically. Next, these layers are superposed and combined by any knownmeans, such as glueing or by mechanical means such a calendering orneedling. The combining means also may be hydraulic.

[0057] Good combination may be attained by impregnation, spraying, or bypouring a solution. The impregnation is combined with expressioncompacting the layer and eliminating part of the liquid contained in themoist layer, for example by calendering or moving past a vacuum slot.

[0058] The hydrolinking technique allows both combining the two layersand linking of the layer's surfaces.

[0059] Hydrolinking treatment may be applied in the case of a crudelayer that is chemically treated immediately after the layer'simpregnation stage in the manner described in European PatentApplication 0 735 175.

[0060] The hydrolinking stage also may take place in the final rinsingprocedure described in applicant's European Patent 0 805 888 wherein themanufacture of the cotton sheet is in a continuous manufacturing line.

[0061] When manufacturing the product of the invention, one of theexternal sides (first external side) of the cotton product is treated ina manner to delay absorption of aqueous substances (care substances . .. ) when the pads are used for cosmetic purposes.

[0062] Following the impregnation stages, and before or after drying,the first side is treated by applying to it an agent delaying absorptionof aqueous substances as described above. In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, wax emulsion is applied at the rate of at least 1 g/m²,that is at least 0.3 g/m² of active ingredient (waxes), at the productsurface.

[0063] This surface treatment is carried out using any conventionalmeans such as nozzle spraying, coating using a cylinder, rotogravureprinting, . . .

[0064] In order to better tell the difference between the treated anduntreated surfaces, the product of the invention may employ visualdifferentiation of the two sides, for example one side being fitted witha pattern and the other not, or two sides being imprinted in a differentmanner with different patterns, or again coloring one of the sides, etc.

[0065] The products so made and fitted with sides that differ from eachother on account of the surface treatment of one of the external sidesshall then be cut to format and packed into flexible wraps or pouches.

1. A product such as a makeup-removal pad based on hydrophilic cottonfibers, comprising an external side with which to apply aqueoussubstances onto the skin, characterized in that the said external sideis fitted with an agent delaying absorption of aqueous substances. 2.Product as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the agent delayingabsorption of aqueous substances is a composition based on emollients orwaxes.
 3. Product as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that theemollients include fatty amines, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, fattypolyethylenes or polyamides, or their mixtures.
 4. Product as claimed inclaim 2, characterized in that the agent delaying absorption of aqueoussubstances is a natural wax emulsion of mineral, vegetal or animalorigin.
 5. Product as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that theanimal origin wax is spermaceti wax or preferably beeswax.
 6. Product asclaimed in claim 4, characterized in that the vegetal origin wax iscandellila or carnauba wax.
 7. Product as claimed in claim 4,characterized in that the mineral origin wax is ceresin or azocerite. 8.Product as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the agent delayingabsorption of aqueous substances is a component attaching itself to thefibers, for instance in the form of complex metal salts of stearic acid,perfluorinated derivatives, zirconium salts or silicones.
 9. Product asclaimed in one of the above claims, characterized in that said agent isan emulsion or dispersion containing at least 30% of active ingredients.10. Product as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the sidedesigned to apply aqueous substances to the skin contains at least 0.3g/m² of active ingredients.
 11. Product as claimed in one of the aboveclaims, characterized in that the aqueous substances illustratively arecosmetic substances in particular including makeup substances,makeup-removal substances, toiletry milks.